Łobzów Garden Park
Explorer of Kraków's Parks · no. 21
Park type: historic. In this park you can collect a stamp in the "Explorer of Kraków's Parks" campaign run by Kraków's Municipal Greenery Authority (ZZM). Where to find the stamp: the entrance is behind the Orlen petrol station.
History
Łobzów Garden Park covers just 0.7 ha and is one of the smallest parks in Kraków, but its history goes back to the beginnings of royal Łobzów. In the 14th century Kazimierz Wielki (Casimir the Great) founded a summer residence here surrounded by gardens. In the reign of Queen Bona, plants brought from southern Europe appeared in them. In the time of Stefan Batory the palace was rebuilt in the Mannerist style, and the extensive garden was designed by Santi Gucci. On the east side the grounds of the former residence are enclosed by a wall from that period. The original garden layout has not survived in its old form, but the park, located by the Młynówka Królewska next to the former palace, is a reminder of that past. A Dragon Square (Smoczy Skwer) style playground has been built here for children.
Did you know?
In the 17th century the Łobzów residence had a figarnia, one of the first orangeries, where exotic plant species were grown.